Advertising display device



Jan. 26, 1954 J. J. SHERIDAN ADVERTISING DISPLAY DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 10, 1951 Jan. 26, 1954 J. J. SHERIDAN ADVERTISING DISPLAY DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 10, 1951 INVENTOIR. foga]; Jflerdzw Arramvlsy Patented Jan. 26, 1954 UNITED STATES $.PAT E3NT F ICE .2,667,.0ll1 ADVERTISING DISPLAY BEVIGE J seph .zlsheridan. .San Mateo, Qalifp. Application August 10, L951, SeriaLNo. 2511304 This invention relates to improvements .in advertising display devices and has particular reference :to the provision of .an apparatus tor which an advertising display :is employed that visibly discloses -,a bottle ;of :liquid and a receptacle .for th liquid with the liquid continuously :flowing Irom :the bottle into the receptacle. Qne cof LthGIDXEiHGiQGJEQbjQCtS of the invention :is the provision in the receptacle, that has :the characteristics .of a beer glass, of la noyel and unique trapping tmeans that .causes a continuous mass of bubbles or foam to arise to the surface of the liquid to thus simulate :the exact condiztion that :prevails when beer :is poured from a :bottle into a glass and to further embody in the liquid trapping :medium, .definite structure aior controlling "the height of the *ihead" :or "ieollai formed in vthe'liquidrto :prevent an Loverfiowm the same.

An additional obj ect of the 'inventionris .to :proyide means in certain .of the .liqnid supply tanks :ior agitating the liquid to increase :the bubbles :or foam supply.

Another object of the invention is :to employ in the tanks of the invention a supply .of amber 1 -;colored liquid, :the liquid sbeing so treated as to :render thesamesaponaeeous, andto employ :motor driven pumping means for honveyingithe li-qmid to the bottle, and conduit :meanstorconduct- .ing .or returning the liquid received in the glass from the bottle .to :the source of the initial liquid supply, harnelyathe tanks.

.A still further object .of the invention is the provision of an advertising display device of the character described that is simple .construcition, positive in operation, economical to mam =u facture, strong, durable, highly 'ehicient and serviceable in :use, and highly attractive and entertaining the respect that it is --m ost mystifyjing relative to the manner -=in which the suds or foamare created, and which-devioe wi-ll accordingly attract the =:attentionof *-the observers who will mentally absorb the display "advertising mat- :ter.

Otherobiects and advantages will be apparent during-the courseof =the following-description.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and :wherein ior the purpose lof illustration like numerals -'desig-nate like parts throughout the same,

Fig. "1 a fragmentary front elevational view of the advertising display device, and disclosing oadvantaeea bottleandsslassadiustablyposh sinned a irame iand iillustraiting @DiQdlwt, such asheer. aibeing pouredintoa glass "from the :2 ibottle with a 'head ,or .colla-r .Q'f foam gathered :in realistic form ethe itop portion of the glass,

LFig. is a fragmentary rear elevational :view of liquid Yholding itanks and the inlet and outlet :tubes employed :in .the invention,

*l lig. L3 is a itop :plan .view, partly in section, .of the bottle and glass and the liquid holding :tanks donning 31 :part .of the -present invention, with a portion of-ithe frame and :panel {being shown in :-section,

Fig. 4 is a bracketed view illustrating front and side elevation the beerzglass, :the bubble trap- :ping means positioned in the same, and the relationship of the inlet and outlet ztubes relative :to @the trap :and :the glass,

Fig. :6 is a i-perspectiveviewof the trapconstruction employed inthe glass, and

Fig. 6 i is a perspective view of one of the liquid holding tanks iutilized in the present invention, and

mg. is .a perspective view-of one of the semicircularshields that is util-izedin the invention.

"In "the :present invention and in the accomrpanying drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown #the preferred embodiment of the invention, the nu'meral 1 indicates, as a whole, the housing 7 of the display device, the said housing embodying in its construction an artistic base :8 on which is mounted an apertured frame 4] equipped 'with rearwardl-y extending side walls J ll and H. The said walls are vertically slotted as at 42 to permit the insertion therein of a vertical panel i=3 on which is displayed any suitable advertising slogan, as indicated by the numeral 44. It will *benoted-that the said panel-is provided with spaced openings 15, 16 and H.

The numeral *8 indicates a rearwardly e-xtending :board or shelf that is suitably connected to the frame and is adapted-to support thereon =-the air 'tight-tanks of the present invention. Cross pieces F9 are connected to the bottom of the housing, underlie the same and serve to space -'-the housing from any suitable support. 0ptional-ly the 'rear shelf may -be eliminated and the tam-ks can be positioned on a table -or like support 20 that*is-p'laced prox-imity to the frame, "and in the rear thereof, as disclosed to advantage inFig. '3 0f the drawin The three plastic tank-s employed in the invention are herein defined as the pump holding tank A, a middle or'reserve tank *3, and an end or reserve tank (3. jEach :tank is equipped with a detachable, -co.ver 1'1, :22 and :23 respective y, the covers thawing [able openings rith'erein to perin the passage therethrough ofinlet and outlet tubes to be hereinafter described. The said tanks hold a supply of amber colored liquid that is used in the display to simulate the color of beer, which liquid is treated with a specially prepared wetting agent to render the liquid saponaceous, the foam created being equivalent to the sudsing effect of modern detergents. It will be noted that the liquid holding tank A is of greater height than the substantially rectangular tanks B and C, to compensate for the rise in pressure in tanks B and C when the device is in operation and the foam is being formed. Tank A is of a taller type than tanks B and C. However, the base and top of tank A are the same dimensions as of tanks B and C.

The said tank A is adapted to house therein on the base thereof a pump 24 that serves as the pumping medium to dispense the liquid from said tank. Vertical rods 25, that penetrate the cover 2|, are employed for the purpose of supporting thereon at their upper ends an electric motor 26. The motor is provided with electrical conductors 21 that function as the media for supplying electrical energy to the motor 28. Extending from said motor to the pump is the motor shaft 21 that likewise penetrates the cover 2| and functions to actuate the pump.

It will be noted that a pair of cross tubes 28, that lie on the same horizontal plane, are provided between the tank A and the tank B, and likewise tubes 29 and 29 function to connect the tank B with the tank C. The respective tubes also serve to initially establish the same level of liquid in all three tanks. Due to the arrangement of the cross tubes there is established a means of communication between the tanks that permits a continuous passage of liquid from the tank C to the tank B, and thereafter to tank A during the cycle of the liquid pumping operation. The cycle of the foam in the tanks is confined to the tanks B and C, while the liquid is circulated throughout the entire tank apparatus.

The numeral 30 designates a container simulating a bottle of beer that is suitably secured in an adjusted angular position to the panel I3. Rubber tube 31 is secured at its upper end to the bottle and communicates with the interior thereof through plastic tube 3|, and is secured at its lower end to the pump for the purpose of conveying the liquid in the tank A to the bottle 30 when the pump is operating. As disclosed to advantage in Fig. 4, the numeral 32 indicates a receptacle such as a beer glass, likewise suitably secured, in an adjusted angular position, to the panel 13. I will be noted that the mouth of the glass is positioned in proximity to the neck of the bottle, underlies the same and that the said glass, as disclosed in Figs, 1 and 2, is adapted to receive the liquid 32' that flows freely from the bottle.

In Figs. 1 and 2 I have illustrated to advantage 2. plastic outlet tube 33 that is interposed between and is connected to the glass 32 and the tank C by means of elongated rubber tube 33. This tube is designated as the liquid return tube because it functions to retrieve the liquid from the glass to return or convey the same to the tank C. In each of the tanks B and C there is provided a diagonally positioned plastic baffle 34 and 35, each of which has side marginal notches 36 and 31 provided therein (see Fig. 6). The liquid that passes into the tank C first contacts the upper surface of the baffle 34 and by gravity passes to the lower portion of said tank. Bubbles then arise to the surface of the liquid in-this tank and createsufiicient pressure to thus return the same through a return rubber tube 38', that is connected to the tank C and likewise to the glass 32 by means of plastic tube 38 adjacent the upper portion thereof. The notches 36 and 31 are utilized for the purpose of permitting the liquid to pass through the plates and then level off in the tanks B and C. It is to be noted that the baffles by their angular position relative to the tanks serve to create agitation and the formation of bubbles as the liquid passes downwardly over the baffles. Each of the baffies 34 and 35 is similarly mounted in the respective tanks B and C. For example, each of the baffles 34 is loosely mounted relative to the apertured rear wall, the side walls, and the base of the tank. The notches 36 and 31 accordingly are the only means for passage of the liquid through the bafiie and a circulation of the liquid is effected in the tank below the bafile.

The numeral 39 designates an additional rubber tube that is connected at one end to the lid of the tank B, protrudes therethrough into the suds, and is joined at its opposite end, as at 40, to the suds return tube 38'. This unique arrangement allows for a rotation of the suds.

As disclosed to advantage in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawing, I have devised a trap, indicated as a whole by the numeral 39'. This trap is made of plastic material and is suitably moulded or otherwise secured to the inside of the glass. The trap embodies in its construction a rear plate 40 and side wings 4| and 42 that are positioned at right angles to the rear plate. It will be noted that the vertical position of the wing 42 is between the holes provided in the glass for the insertion of the plastic outlet tube 33 and the suds return plastic tube 38 and further that the said holes are staggered relative to each other. By virtue of this arrangement at no time will the outflow of liquid reach the level of the inlet tube 38, which tube functions to permit the return of suds from the reserve tanks B and C. The side wing 4| of the trap device is of lesser height than the wing 42 so that excess suds may thus readily pass or carry over the top of said wing 4| with the outflow of liquid and then return to the reserve tank C through the medium of the tube 33. By the arrangement of the wings in the trap there is created an area of least resistance for the suds that enables the same to readily circulate and pass out through the outlet tube. The diminished height of the wing 4| and the relative height of the suds in the glass are proportionate.

As disclosed to advantage in Fig. 7, the numeral 43 indicates one of a pair of shields that is employed in the invention. Each shield is made of plastic and is of a semi-circular shape and is closed at its top and open at its bottom or base. The shield 43 is annealed to the left side apertured wall of tank C and is so positioned that it is slightly spaced from the bottom inner surface of the tank. Thus, the end of the'lower tube 29-that extends into the tank C is semienclosed, and accordingly the liquid flowing from tank C into tank B must pass under the shield 43 at its lowest point and thence pass upwardly into the tank B and over the baffle 35. The liquid and excess bubbles will also pass through the upper tube 29. The numeral 44 designates a shield of similar construction to the shield 43, which shield 44 semi-encloses the ends of the cross tubes 28 that extend into the tank B from tank A.

In practice, a predetermined amount of liquid and sudsing agent are placed in the respective tanks. Af-ter. the level of the liquid has-been established equally in the method of the I 29', current is "then applied 'to'the "motor to actuate the pump 24.

:all "three tank's through connection tubes .28, .29 and liquid flow from the glass, the respective tubes 28, 29 and 29' serving as a media for the passage of the liquid from tankCto tank B and thence. to tank .A.

To bring out the salient features of the invention it is well to stress the particular function of the bubbles formation features, and accordingly it is to be particularly noted that the liquid in tanks A, B and C must fall to a relatively low level before bubbles floating thereon could pass from tank B to tank A. It is also to be stated that the bubbles are practically nil at this point in tank B due to the function of the bafile 35 and the notches 36 and 31 that permit the liquid to circulate at these points only. The said baflle guides in an upwardly direction in tank B the liquid and excess bubbles coming through the upper tube 29' from the tank 0, while the liquid passes through the lower tube 29 from tank 0 practically clear of bubbles. This clearance is due to the presence of shield 43 at its position in tank C over the inlet of the lower tube 29 in tank 0. The bafiie 34 in tank C also has a distinctive function, namely, it serves to direct the liquid and its complement of bubbles returning from the glass '32 through the medium of the outlet tube 33 to tank C, in a manner that will permit the bubbles to form in quantity at the top of the liquid in tank 0, for bubbles will naturally rise to the surface of a liquid.

When an excess amount of bubbles is present in tank C, a pressure is created that can only be relieved by a definite means of escape. This escape medium is provided by the return rubber tube 38 that leads from the inner side of the cover 23 on tank C to the plastic tube 38 in glass 32.

It will be noted that the wings of the trap 39 mounted or otherwise secured to the inner surface of the glass 32 are positioned in such a manner relative thereto that they shield the outlet tube 33, and further it will be noted that since the top and bottom of the trap are open, liquid can readily flow from the glass 32 through the outlet tube 33.

It has been stated that the outlet tube 33 is in a lower horizontal plane, in glass 32, than the plane of the return tube 38. Accordingly, the level of the liquid in glass 32 is not permitted to the tank C other than through the tube 33. By virtue of this arrangement, bubbles returning from the tank C to the glass 32, do so because of the pressure created in tank 0. When the bubbles reach the glass 32, through the medium of the return rubber tube 35' the said bubbles will float on the surface of the liquid in glass 32 and thus form the referred to collar or head in said glass and the bubbles will then rise to a predetermined level which is established by the of the trap. The suds are then returned with the liquid to tank C through the medium of the outlet tube 33.

The joint action of the liquid flowing from the the medium of the rubber bottle 313 into :the glass32 and "thence into tank C through outlet "tube 33 creates a quantity :cf suds sufficient to establish .a pressure in tank 0 When pressure .in tank B becomes "suificient, the bubbles then pass upwardly through the tube -39 in the cover of tank B to ,join tube .38 from tank 0 by utilizing-a plastic Y or Tiat the point This action makes it possible forgthe suds to follow a given cycle, namely, from glass .32 to tanksC and .B and :back again to glass 32. The

said enlarged end construction of the invention herein described permits the clear liquid to reach tank A and hottle 36, while confining all bubbles to the tanks .13 and C and the glass 32.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes relative to the shape, size, material and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In an advertising device the combination of an advertising surface, a liquid holding container in front of said surface, a receptacle in front of said surface and positioned below said container for receiving the liquid dispensed from the latter, means for supplying liquid to said container, a liquid trapping bubble forming member in said receptacle for agitating the liquid therein and to prevent an overflow of the bubbles in the receptacle said trapping member embodying in its construction a rear plate, and side wings positioned at right angles to said plate, one of said wings being of lesser height than the other wing, conduit means for draining a predetermined amount of the ceptacle to convey the liquid to the source of supply, and means in the source of supply for agitating the bubbles to create an additional bubble supply and to guide the bubbles upwardly from the source of the liquid supply to the receptacle.

2. In an advertising device the combination of an advertising surface, a receptacle in front of said surface, a container in front of said surface and mounted on said surface above said allow the liquid to circulate between the tanks, a motor driven pump in said enlarged tank, an inlet tube connected to said container and to said pump to convey the pumped liquid to said container to transfer the liquid to said receptacle, means in said receptacle for trapping the liquid therein to form a bubble supply and to prevent an overflow of bubbles from said receptacle, an outlet tube connected to said receptacle for conveying a supply of liquid from said receptacle to said end reserve tank, notched baffle means in said reserve tanks for agitating the liquid to create additional bubbles, tubular elements connected to said reserve tanks and to said receptacle for conveying additional bubbles to said receptacle, and a pair of shields, one in each reserve tank, and in proximity to said cross tubes, whereby only clear liquid is introduced into tank. i

3. In an advertising device the combination of an advertising surface, a liquid holding consaid tanks, baffle means in certain of said tanks tainer in front of said surface, a receptacle in for agitating the liquid to create additional bubfront of said surface and positioned below said bles, and tubular elements connected to certain container, a plurality of liquid holding tanks of said tanks and to said receptacle for conpositioned in the rear of said surface, means in- 5 veying additional bubbles to said receptacle. terposed between the tanks to allow the liquid to JOSEPH J. SHERIDAN. circulate between the tanks, a motor driven pump in one of said tanks, an inlet tube connected to References clted in the file of this Patent said container and to said pump to convey the UNITE STATES PATENTS pumped liquid to said container to transfer the 10 liquid to said receptacle, means in said receptagg g Pa Name Date rk Nov. 9, 1897 cle for trapping the liquid therein to form a 1458050 Chester June 5 1923 bubble supply and to prevent an overflow of bubbles from said receptacle, an outlet tube FOREIGN PA ENTS connected to said receptacle for conveying a 15 Number Country Date supply of liquid from said receptacle to one of 5 5 France 12, 1923 

